Obsidian Explains Why It’s Abandoning Baldur’s Gate-Style RPGs
Games like Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale, some of the most beloved classics in gaming history, left their mark on an era. However, the reason for the abrupt end of that golden age wasn’t the players themselves, but the game stores themselves. Obsidian Entertainment’s design director, Josh Sawyer, shared this interesting fact at the GCAP 2025 event in Melbourne.
Retailers Killed Classic RPGs, According to Obsidian
Josh Sawyer explained that, at the time, retailers told developers, “Nobody wants to buy these games anymore.” “We wanted to see the research, but they just told us, ‘Trust us,'” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. Sawyer explained that this pressure forced developers to diversify their genres.
Back then, digital sales weren’t yet widespread; physical stores dictated the fate of games. If a retailer didn’t stock a game, it was practically non-existent. Unsold boxes would sit in warehouses, studios would lose money, and they couldn’t allocate resources to new projects. RPG-focused studios like Obsidian were forced to change direction as a result.
According to Sawyer, stores acted this way because they identified truly under-selling games. “If there was a significant demand for these games, there would be no reason for retailers not to stock them,” he said, summarizing the market reality of the time. In other words, the decline of classic RPGs was not a choice but a necessary consequence of market conditions.
Today, the landscape has completely changed. Thanks to digital distribution platforms, developers can now create games of their choosing. “Now, even at the risk of failure, we can share our vision,” Sawyer says. Thanks to platforms like Steam, indie RPGs are experiencing a resurgence, and gamers are experiencing a revival of the genre.
Meanwhile, Larian Studios has recently begun work on Baldur’s Gate 4, even developing a playable version. However, due to the long development time, the project was canceled. It seems the classic RPG genre, despite its challenges, still holds a special place in the hearts of both developers and gamers.
